Do you work in an office that doesn’t have any windows? Perhaps it’s a lovely workspace with great lighting, but there are no windows. And precisely because there are no windows, you’d like some greenery to give your space a more natural feel.
However, then doubt sets in. Is it possible to grow plants without a window? The answer is yes!
You can cultivate plants in your office space to improve the atmosphere, your mood, and even increase your productivity.
We need nature. This is the principal reason we like to have plants around us. While we often can’t control the space we work in, we can improve upon it.
When you select an indoor plant for your office, you need to select one that will thrive in artificial light or indirect light. There are several indoor houseplants that can thrive despite the lack of natural light.
Also, keep in mind growth rate and size in relation to where you want to place plants, as some can grow to be quite tall over time.
Here is my list of the best indoor plants for offices with no windows that will add color to your workday, every day.
Best Plants for Offices with No Windows
1. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
The Arrowhead plant is one of my absolute favorites. It makes a great office plant because it will adapt to fluorescent lighting in substitution for natural light.
These plants are vining climbers, so if you want to dress up a corner, make sure to add a trellis, pole, or organize something they are free to climb on.
They are low-maintenance too. Arrowhead plants like moisture, so make sure to water before leaving the office for the weekend.
Pruning will help contain your plant’s size and repotting can be limited to once every other year.
2. Cast Iron Plant (Aspdistra elatior)
An indestructible houseplant, the Cast Iron plant is just that, cast iron. The Cast Iron boasts large leaves that add life, color, and vivacity wherever they are positioned.
These lovely plants are not at all fussy and do exceptionally well in spaces with artificial lighting. They require little watering, making them a top choice for offices.
The Cast Iron plant has a slight tolerance for drought, but prefers a soil bed with moderate moisture. Pruning is done for aesthetic purposes and repotting can be limited to every two to three years.
3. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
The Aglaonema is a fantastic houseplant for windowless offices. These are lovers of low lighting and thrive in artificial lighting.
Known by the popular name, Chinese Evergreen, these are excellent plants for beginner gardeners or for those that don’t really have much time for plant care. As such, they are ideal for office environments.
The darker green varieties require less light, so they are a better choice for windowless spaces.
Water well, allowing the soil to drain excess water. Then wait for the soil to dry out before watering it again. Watering weekly in the spring, summer, and fall should suffice, while in winter watering can be reduced.
The soil bed should never dry out totally. This is also a plant that can be repotted every two or even three years.
4. Dragon Tree (Dracaena Marginata)
The Dragon Tree is a plant that hates direct sunlight exposure, so it’s great for locations with a lack of bright light.
They do very well in darker spaces, producing lovely green and white-striped spiky foliage with red edges, all in the form of a small tree.
If you’d appreciate just a bit of color in the shape of your own small tree to enjoy while working, the Dragon Tree is the plant for you. They are low-maintenance and will make a lovely impression on those visiting your office.
This is an evergreen plant with multiple stems that can grow to heights of eight to fifteen feet and widths of three feet. It is somewhat drought tolerant and forgiving if you forget to water it.
5. Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
The Dumb Cane is a houseplant that, in its larger forms, is an impressive addition to any room or lobby. They have beautiful breathtaking foliage with unique patterns.
If you’d like a tropical atmosphere to work in, the Dumb Cane is an ideal choice.
Overwatering will cause root rot. If the plant is large, it may need to be watered twice weekly during the growing season. In the winter, it should be cut back, and topsoil needs to dry out before watering anew. The nicest thing you can do for this plant is to repot annually.
6. Peace Lily (Spathyphyllium)
A blooming tropical plant, the Peace Lily grows stunning foliage and when it blooms, produces a white hooded flower that resembles a Lily, hence the name.
In the absence of natural light, your Peace Lily will probably not bloom, but the foliage is appealing, nonetheless.
If you’d like to help your plant bloom, you can place it closer to fluorescent lights to improve its chances. This plant does require generous watering, so you’ll want to plan before leaving for the weekend.
A rule of thumb is to water weekly to maintain soil moisture. You may need to water more during warmer seasons as the soil will dry quicker. You’ll know something’s wrong if the Peace Lily is turning brown.
Learn more about the Peace Lily turning different colors.
7. Peperomia Plant
Peperomia plants come in a variety of forms, all of which are lovely. Deep green, red, or variegated waxy foliage that is heart-shaped will steal the show.
Peperomia don’t like the sun, making them a great choice for darker spaces like windowless offices. They grow very slowly, so they won’t need much care. You can endure their well-being by placing them near fluorescent lighting in your workspace.
The real threats to the Peperomia plants are overwatering and root rot. This plant can be watered from the bottom by placing the plant in a dish with water and allowing the plant to soak up what it needs. However, it should not sit in a dish of water continuously.
Peperomias do not require frequent repotting and enjoy being a little root-bound.
8. Philodendron Plants
Non-variegated Philodendrons are basically all-green and they are a favorite for low-light or artificial light conditions.
A weekly watering when topsoil is dry is sufficient. You can fertilize once a month during the Philodendron’s growing season.
An annual repotting will keep this potted plant happy and growing.
9. Rubber Plant (Ficus elastic)
The Rubber plant belongs to the Ficus family and is one of the most impressive plants cultivated indoors. They can do quite well in a space without any windows equipped with artificial lighting.
Rubber plant growth can be controlled by the size of the plant container. During its growing season, water it weekly. During winter dormancy, watering once a month should be good.
The container size must be adequate for the size of the plant, because as leaves become heavier, plants will inevitably become top-heavy, and your plant may keel over. You can plan on repotting them every other year.
10. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
The Sansevieria is one of the more indestructible houseplants available. It does exceptionally well in low-light conditions.
The snake plant is a low-maintenance plant needing little watering, yet is still aesthetically stunning. There are many variants, so you can select the foliage that you like best.
Smaller plants look great on desktops, while taller snake plants can add decorative flair to your office.
11. ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas)
While the Snake plant is incredibly low maintenance and wonderfully easy in the care department, the ZZ plant is even easier.
ZZ plants do well in fluorescent lighting, so they are very popular in stores, malls, and commercial locations. They boast deep green waxy, glossy foliage for a sleek elegant look.
Your ZZ will require very little water, so be careful not to overdo it. The ZZ has thick tubular rhizomes underground, making them drought tolerant.
Water when the soil bed has dried out completely. If you forget to water, these plants can survive several months without it.
Choosing a Plant for Your Office With No Windows
When looking at plant options for an office without windows and natural light, keep in mind the environmental conditions necessary for a particular plant.
Look for plants that have low light needs, such as plants that grow on a forest or tropical rainforest floor. These plants receive very little direct sunlight in their natural habitat. This is one reason many of these plants develop dark green leaves to help them with photosynthesis.
Other characteristics to search for include plants that are slow growers, and require little pruning and little water. In an office situation, you won’t have time to care for high-maintenance plants.
Plants for Offices With No Windows Final Thoughts
The fact that your office has no windows should not deter you from delighting in the pleasure of cultivating live plants in your workspace.
Simply select a plant that thrives in artificial lighting conditions and begin livening up your work environment. Plants will do wonders for your health, mood, and will also be enjoyed by coworkers and clients alike.
Read about other houseplants and indoor plant care in these articles:
- Do Indoor Plants Attract Bugs?
- Best Plants for Windows
- Best Indoor Climbing Plants
- Fun and Cool Houseplants
- Most Colorful Plants
Plants for Offices With No Windows FAQs
What kind of plants can live in an office with no windows?
Many plants can tolerate low light conditions, but some prefer full sun. There are also plants that can survive in partial shade. But if you have an office with no windows, look at these plants: Arrowhead Plant, Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Dragon Tree, Dumb Cane, Peace Lily, Peperomia, Philodendron, Rubber Plant, Snake Plant, and ZZ Plant.
How do you keep a plant alive in an office with no windows?
You can grow plants in offices without windows by using artificial lighting. There are different kinds of lights that work well for indoor gardening. Fluorescent bulbs are the most common kind used today. These bulbs last longer than incandescent bulbs and are very energy efficient. Incandescent bulbs are still commonly used in older homes and buildings.
Which plant is best for office desks?
Spider plants are perfect for office desktops because they are low-maintenance, inexpensive, and attractive. They also make excellent gifts. They can be kept in small pots and look great on your desk.
Which plants grow in fluorescent light?
Most plants grow well under fluorescent lights, although some varieties may prefer natural sunlight. Fluorescent lighting is usually used in offices, schools, and other indoor locations. It produces bright white light without heat. These plants will grow well in fluorescent lights: Arrowhead Plant, Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Dragon Tree, Dieffenbachia Dumb Cane, Peace Lily, Philodendron Plants, and Rubber Plants.
